LIFE - Bianet

LIFE

Page 124

17 Percent Decrease in Natural Gas Bills

Prime Minister Erdoğan has announced that gas prices will decrease by 17 percent for domestic use and 18 percent for industrial use.

3 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

ECHR: Turkey Violated Child's Rights

The European Court of Human Rights has penalised Turkey for arresting and prosecuting an under-fifteen year old for alleged PKK membership.

28 January 2009

Increased Gas Prises: Consumers Revert to Coal

Gas heating bills have increased dramatically this year. People complain of having to turn down the heating. Many are returning to coal stoves.

20 January 2009

2920 HIV/AIDS Cases Since 1985

The number of those who live with HIV/AIDS has become 376 last year. 892 of the cases are women and 118 of them under eighteen. The Positive Life Association (PYD) advises immediate measures in Turkey where most of the population consists of young people.

1 December 2008 Emine Özcan

Retrial Of Child Molestation Case Rejected

The official objection to the release of Hüseyin Üzmez, accused for child molesting, has been denied. The suspect was released thanks to the highly questionable report by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

6 November 2008

Professional Inspection Declares Medical Examiner’s Report Void

The Union of Turkish Medical Doctors (TTB) concludes that the Medical Examiner’s report that led to the release of Hüseyin Üzmez in the trial for sexually abusing a child void and not usable in a court of law.

4 November 2008

Challenged Children Cry For More Resources

York Duchess tapes secretly the inhumane conditions in the two Turkish rehabilitation centers where challenged children are also “cared”. Social services expert Karatay points to the lack of resources, although the mentality is slowly changing.

3 November 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Ministry Investigates The Questionable Medical Examiner’s Report

Ministry of Justice launches an investigation regarding the Medical Examiner’s Report that led to the release of Hüseyin Üzmez, a writer for daily Islamic Vakit, who was accused of sexual abuse of a fourteen year old girl.

3 November 2008 Emine Özcan,Bawer Çakır

The Case About Sexual Abuse Of 14 Year Old Girl May Re-Open

Minister of State Nimet Çubukçu says they will object to the report that led to the release of Üzmez, writer for daily Vakit, who was accused of sexually abusing a fourteen-year-old girl.

30 October 2008

Are The Forests Fires In Eastern And Southeastern Turkey Set Intentionally?

Hakkari deputy for the Democratic Society Party questions the Forestry Minister about the forest fires in eastern and southeastern Turkey, claiming that they are done intentionally for security reasons.

18 September 2008 Erkan Çapraz

Moda Residents Protest The Alcohol Ban

Moda residents of Istanbul demonstrate every week against the alcohol ban that started in their Pier with the new management since last July. They condemn the interference in their way of living.

“Idle Environmentalists” Released From Custody, After Protest

“Idle Environmentalists” Released From Custody, After Protest

The 33 environmentalist who protested the Gendarmerie raid of the Ekotopya Youth Park in Sinop in front of the governorship are released. The Prime Minister calls them “idle environmentalists”.

Gendarmerie Raids Ecologic Utopias Camp In Sinop

The Gendarmerie raided the Ekotopya (Ecologic Utopias) Youth Camp that meets in Sinop every year between the dates 9 and 23 August. Sinop governor demanded that the camp be removed immediately. Eleven were taken into custody in an anti-nuclear demonstration against the planned nuclear plant in Sinop.

Six Arrested In An Anti-Nuclear Protest

Six people protesting the nuclear power plant planned to be built in Sinop, a Black Sea Coast Town, are taken into custody. The Greens Party asks the government to cancel the plan.

Report States 833 Lost Children In Turkey

According to, Prime Ministry’s Human Rights Directorship, 7183 children were lost last year. Most of the incidents were in the cities with highest migration rates.

When The Topic Is Rape, Media Makes A woman Out Of A Child

Acting irresponsibly, the media turns a sexual relation between two children into a rape by a woman of a boy.

1 July 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Students Act Against Global Warming, What About Parents?

Some elementary school students get together to form a group to take action against global warming.

31 May 2008 Fethi Yılmaz

Families Accuse Police For Torturing Their Kids

Families of the high school children who were tortured in the police station turn to the Association of Human Rights. They report the crime and the Public Prosecutor starts an investigation.

13 May 2008 Tolga Korkut

Turkey’s Landmines Still in Place

Turkey’s Landmines Still in Place

The Initiative for a Turkey without Mines has criticised Turkey for not fulfilling the obligations to clear landmines specified by the Ottawa Convention.

3 April 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

My Heart Beats for Lefkosa…

My Heart Beats for Lefkosa…

How will Nicosia be affected by the new checkpoint; can our beautiful city be a shared space for all Cypriots? Or, will life go on as “normal”? Can we find it in our hearts to take care of this city, to take responsibility for this city, whose buildings and inhabitants have long been neglected?

3 April 2008 Rana Zincir Celal

Opponents of Nuclear Energy Send Protest to Parliament

Opponents of Nuclear Energy Send Protest to Parliament

Singers, actors and intellectuals opposing the building of nuclear power plants in Turkey have sent a statement to parliament. On 26 April, there will be a demonstration in Kadiköy, Istanbul.

3 April 2008 Emine Özcan

Workers Protested against Social Security Law

Workers Protested against Social Security Law

Following a call by trade unions and professional chambers, workers all around Turkey protested against the draft Law on Social Security and General Health Insurance. 5,000 demonstrated in Istanbul.

2 April 2008 Emine Özcan

Workers’ Protest against Social Security Draft on 1 April

Trade unions and professional chambers have called for a protest in front of parliament in Ankara on 1 April.

31 March 2008 Tolga Korkut

New Social Security Draft after Negotiations

New Social Security Draft after Negotiations

After negotiations between the Labour Platform and Minister of Labour Faruk Celik, the government has agreed to make some changes.

27 March 2008 Istanbul

“Purple Roof” Celebrates 18th Year

For the last 18 years, the “Purple Roof Women’s Shelter Foundation” has supported women. Bianet talked to the organisers.

20 March 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

AKP was Silent in DTP Closure Trial

While the MHP has called for individuals to be prosecuted rather than the party to be closed, the CHP and the DTP both pointed out that the AKP was silent when the prosecution initiated a closure trial for the DTP.

19 March 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Striking Shipyard Workers Beaten and Detained

Striking Shipyard Workers Beaten and Detained

In order to protest against the appalling safety and working conditions at the Tuzla shipyards, trade unions started a strike on Wednesday. 86 people were detained, and some were beaten.

28 February 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü,Emine Özcan

Tuzla Shipyard Workers Announce Strike

In the last seven months, 18 workers have died on Tuzla shipyards. The Limter Is trade union has announced a strike from Wednesday, 27 February.

25 February 2008 Emine Özcan

How Many More Shipyard Deaths?

Yesterday yet another worker at an Istanbul shipyard died. Workers have long protested at the unsafe and inhumane working conditions on shipyards.

13 February 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü,A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Father of Police Victim: Police Assume Impunity

The father of Baran Tursun, who was shot dead by a police officer in Izmir called on the media and others to attend the second hearing in the trial to ensure that those responsible were punished.

7 February 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Labour Organisations Tell Minister of Employment to Do His Job

After an explosion in an illegal fireworks factory killed 23 workers and injured over a hundred people, trade unions and professional associations reminded the Minister of Employment of his duties.

7 February 2008 Emine Özcan

Trade Unionist Condemns Gross Negligence in Workplace Safety

Trade Unionist Celik says that 600 inspectors work for the Ministry of Employment to inspect 750,000 workplaces and accuses the government of turning a blind eye.

4 February 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü